Bassoons

Bassoon Care & Maintenance

1) Never leave your instrument by itself. It takes very little time for someone to take it.
2) Never leave your instrument on the ground, on a chair, on a music stand, etc. Always keep your instrument in your hands or in the case.
3) Do not let other people use your instrument unless you teach them the right way to hold and use it.
4) Do not use your case as a chair or step stool. It is not designed for that kind of weight.
5) Lay your case flat on the floor before opening it. Do not let it “fall” open.
6) Twist the parts of your instrument together. Do not rock them in to place.
7) Secure all loose items in your case. Anything loose will damage your instrument.
8) Do not put music in your case, unless space is provided for it. If you have to fold it or if it touches the instrument, it shouldn’t be there.
9) Avoid eating or drinking anything but water just before playing. If you must, rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth before playing.
10)Grease your corks only when it is needed, and don’t use too much grease.

1) Keeping your instrument dry when you are not playing it is the best way to keep it in good condition.
2) Take out the reed and blow hard through the string end. Carefully wipe it on your swab or forearm and put it in your reed case.
3) Remove the bocal and blow hard through the cork end.
4) Remove the bell and put it in the case.
5) Remove the long joint and put it in the case.
6) Remove the wing joint and lay it on your lap.
7) Tip the boot joint so any water will pour out the small hole. Then swab it and put it in the case.
8) Swab the wing joint and put it in the case.
9) If you have a wood bassoon, check your dampit to make sure it is damp.

1) Wash the swab by soaking it for 3 minutes in a sink filled with lukewarm water and soap or a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly. Let dry completely.
2) Carefully wipe the keys ONE AT A TIME and the body clean with a soft, clean cloth. Be careful not to snag any springs.
3) Make sure the screws at the ends of your rods are not sticking out.
4) While you are practicing, leave the case open in the sun. The warmth will dry out any moisture and discourage moths from living in the case (they like to eat pads).
5) Vacuum your case.
6) This should actually be done every other week. Mix a bleach solution of one drop chlorine bleach to one cup warm water. Mix well with a small pipe cleaner. Carefully push the pipe cleaner through the cork end of your reed, moving it side to side to clean the inside of the reed. Pull it out the tip of the reed.